Lucio praises Jose Mourinho for having faith in Inter players

Tuesday 27 April 2010 15:19 BST

Inter Milan defender Lucio has put the team's stifling of Lionel Messi in last week's Champions League semi-final first leg down to good teamwork and has credited Jose Mourinho for the faith he has shown in his players.

Inter travel to the Nou Camp for tomorrow night's second leg 3-1 ahead following last Tuesday's clash at the San Siro.

Barcelona had far more possession than the defending Serie A champions but Messi was shackled by Lucio and Walter Samuel in defence while Esteban Cambiasso and Thiago Motta also paid close attention to the Argentinian.

Mourinho has enjoyed widespread acclamation since last week with his customary meticulous planning underpinning the victory with the nullification of Messi a key factor after the Argentinian had helped destroy Arsenal in the previous round.

Lucio told UEFA.com: "Messi is a player who's very important for Barcelona, a player of the highest quality.

"In the first leg we managed to mark him very well - not just Messi, but the whole of Barcelona's attack.

"We defended well and everyone was helping out, covering for their team-mates, and that was the key thing about our performance.

"It took teamwork to maintain our defensive line and repel Messi and the Barcelona attack."

The Brazilian identified Messi and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba as his toughest opponents, saying: "They are the most difficult.

"When you have to face fast attackers, who have technique and know how to dribble very well, they are definitely the toughest opponents."

Inter are on a fine run of form in Europe, where they have won six successive games, and Lucio puts that down to Mourinho and his belief in his team.

"Mourinho has definitely transmitted calm and is a great motivation to the players, and that's definitely been crucial," he continued.

"People make us believe in our dreams, to trust in our team, and that has been making a difference in everyday life in the competition. That's definitely important, the coach passing his confidence on to the players.

"We had a great attitude because we started by going 1-0 down and then managed to score three goals.

"It was definitely an important victory, which gives us confidence. We know that it's not over yet, there's one more match to play, and we know it will be difficult.

"We'll go there with the same spirit, the same will, and we definitely have a good chance of reaching the final."